Sports Betting: The Road to the Stanley Cup (Pt. 1 of 2)

With about a quarter of the NHL regular season remaining and the trade deadline come and gone, the teams are gearing up for that final run to the playoffs. In this segment, we bring you an analysis of the current betting situation and a look at the teams that are favored to hoist this year’s Stanley Cup.

The Favourites:

Buffalo Sabres – 4/1
The Sabres went all the way to Eastern Conference finals last year, and have already demonstrated their fierce commitment to winning again in 2006/07. They sit atop the NHL in points, a place they have occupied for almost all of the season. Although hampered by some key injuries of late, the depth of this squad is what makes them such a heavy favourite to hoist the Cup this year. The NHL season is a grueling one, and in order to make it through four rounds of playoff hockey, teams need four solid lines and a strong goalie to help carry the load. They have that in Ryan Miller, who is enjoying a phenomenal year and if he continues to stop pucks like he has done all season long, the Sabres will indeed be very difficult to knock off come April.

Anaheim Ducks – 5/1
With the acquisition of all-star defenseman Chris Pronger in the off-season, GM Brian Burke felt he had built one of the strongest NHL clubs around. Teams generally don’t win the Stanley Cup unless they have a big, strong, and capable defense, and this is precisely what makes the Ducks a good pick to win it all this season. They have great leadership as well, with the likes of Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermeyer. A string of injuries slowed them down early this year, but they have played extremely well of late, and if this team can stay healthy into the playoffs, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t be the team to emerge from the Western Conference (as they did in 2003) and play in their second finals, this time hoping to win for their first ever Stanley Cup.

Nashville Predators – 6/1
If the Nashville Predators weren’t scary enough heading into the last quarter of the NHL season then their recent acquisition of playoff superhero Peter Forsberg from the hapless Flyers is sure to give the rest of the league nightmares come playoff time. With two superior goaltenders (Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason) vying for the number one position, the Preds are looking to feast on the rest of the pack. Look for their betting line to jump once Forsberg gets rolling.

San Jose Sharks – 7/1
The firepower of the Sharks is sure to keep them in the hunt for their first ever Stanley Cup trophy. A perennial playoff giant-killer, this season the Sharks will probably head into the postseason with expectations of their own. Thornton, Marleau, and Cheechoo are all hungry for playoff success, and at 7/1 odds, this team is a good bet and a strong candidate for a victorious run to the Cup.

Detroit Redwings – 10/1
What would a playoff prediction be without a mention of the Wings? This team seems to get the job done year after year, with a different slate of core players each time. They still have the same proven leadership of Lidstrom, Chelios, Maltby, and Draper to rely on, but the real onus is on high-flying youngsters such as Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Holmstrom. Also, they recently made a trade for a power forward, who they hope will be back from injury just in time for the playoffs.

New Jersey Devils – 10/1
Can the Devils once again trap their way to a successful playoff campaign? With future Hall of Fame goalie Marty Brodeur behind the pipes anything is indeed possible. And once again they have a group of gritty hardworking skaters that has the ability to shut down even the most powerful offenses in the league.

Stay tuned . . .

Look out for the part 2 of this segment, in which we’ll take a look at some of the teams who are considered long shots and just why they might be the best picks for anybody looking to place a bet this playoff season.

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